AY25 Academic Catalog/Handbook

Help Desk Specialist Technical Certificate of Credit

The Help Desk Specialist technical certificate of credit program is designed to provide on-call technology guidance and support to individuals and organizations via email, telephone, video conference, or through other technology tools. They may work during regular office times or on shifts at night or on weekends.

Students may enter the Help Desk Specialist technical certificate of credit program any semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 2 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 25 semester credit hours.

Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode:

  • North Campus (Sandersville)
  • South Campus (Dublin)
  • Online (Distance Education)

Employment Outlook

Career Traits/Requirements

Individuals wanting to enroll in the Help Desk Specialist certificate program must be able to work in an office setting, show initiative, work with people, work as a team member, multi-task, display a professional appearance, work with computers and computer application software, troubleshoot, and have a strong work ethic.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for performing many different types of jobs. Graduates can find employment in the areas of computer hardware and software sales, installation and repair, and software and technical support. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.

Program Costs

Tuition & Fees: $3,162.00

Books & Supplies: $500.00

(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)

HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the above programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:

  • 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
  • 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
  • 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
  • Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award

High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.

Admission Requirements

OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:

  • COMPASS/ASSET,
  • SAT,
  • ACT,
  • PSAT,
  • PACT,
  • Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
  • HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.

The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.

Curriculum

Occupational Courses

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
COLL 1060Introduction to College and Computers

3

50

CIST 1001Computer Concepts

4

90

CIST 1122Hardware Installation and Maintenance

4

105

CIST 2130Desktop Support Concepts

3

75

XXXX XXXX
CIS Operating Systems Course

3

XXXX XXXX
CIS Elective

4

Choose one of the following Introductory-Level Networking Courses
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
CIST 1401Computer Networking Fundamentals

4

90

CIST 2451Cisco Network Fundamentals

4

90

Program Pathway

Semester 1

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
COLL 1060Introduction to College and Computers

3

50

CIST 1001Computer Concepts

4

90

CIST 1122Hardware Installation and Maintenance

4

105

Semester 2

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
CIST 2130Desktop Support Concepts

3

75

Operating Systems Course

CIS Elective

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
CIST 1401Computer Networking Fundamentals

4

90

CIST 2451Cisco Network Fundamentals

4

90